For today, links to reports from Anadolu Ajansi, the Jerusalem Post, and the Jewish Chronicle; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (GAZA 7-23-25 is HERE, or scroll down.   GAZA, UKRAINE and MEDIA entries for today are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.)

–   –   –

Israel allocates additional $274M for West Bank settlement projects in occupied West Bank, by Abdel Raouf Arnaout and Betul Yilmaz | Anadolu Ajansi  JERUSALEM / ISTANBUL — The Israeli government allocated an additional $274 million for settlement projects in the West Bank, hours after the Knesset approved a motion to annex the occupied territory, local media said today. READ MORE . . .

–    –   –

FROM JULY 23  Knesset approves declaratory measure to apply Israeli sovereignty to West Bank, by Eliav Breur | The Jerusalem Post  Following a long debate in the plenum on Wednesday, the Knesset voted 71-13 to approve a declaratory resolution in support of “applying Israeli sovereignty to Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley.” READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for a report from the Jewish Chronicle.

.

For today, links to reports from National Public Radio, Anadolu Ajansi, Middle East Eye, the Associated Press, and the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA 7-23-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  WEST BANK, UKRAINE and MEDIA entries for today are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.)

–    –   –

Israel bans beach access in Gaza. Reported by Ruth Sherlock | NPR  Once a rare refuge in war-torn Gaza, the beach offered relief and a glimpse of freedom. Now, even the sea is off-limits — as Israel bans access to the coast, warning it could cost lives. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–    –   –

At least 23 people killed, dozens injured in latest Israeli strikes across Gaza Strip, by Ramzi Mahmud and Betul Yilmaz | Anadolu Ajansi  GAZA CITY, Palestine / ISTANBUL — At least 23 people were killed and several others injured in Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip since early today, medical sources said. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Middle East Eye.

–    –   –

Hamas submits response to latest Gaza ceasefire proposal. From the Cradle. Hamas released a statement early today announcing that it has submitted to mediators its response to the latest proposal for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement in the Gaza Strip. READ MORE . . .

–    –   –

Major media say Gaza staff face starvation as U.S. envoy prepares to host ceasefire talks. From AP. Four leading news organizations said today their journalists in Gaza are facing the threat of starvation as the Israel-Hamas wargrinds on, while top U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff was to meet with key negotiators from . . . READ MORE . . .

.

For today, links to seven reports: from the Moscow Times, National Public Radio, Anadolu Ajansi, Reuters, the Kyiv Independent, and Tass; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE 7-23-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  WEST BANK, GAZA and MEDIA entries for today are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.)

–   –   –

2 killed in Ukrainian drone attack near Sochi Olympic Village. From the Moscow Times. Two women were killed in a Ukrainian drone attack near the resort city of Sochi in southern Russia, regional authorities said early today. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russia and Ukraine fall short of making progress towards a ceasefire. Reported by Charles Maynes and Michel Martin | NPR  Russia and Ukraine held a third round of peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey on Wednesday. But despite warnings by President Trump to impose sanctions on Russia, the two sides failed to make any significant progress towards a ceasefire agreement. Click HERE to listen and, later, read, and HERE and HERE for report from the Moscow Times and Anadolu Ajansi.

–   –   –

Young Ukrainians find new voice in wartime protests. From Reuters. KYIV — The energy of thousands of young people has created a festival-like atmosphere tinged with focused anger outside the office of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, whose image . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from the Kyiv Independent.

–   –   –

Russian forces pound Ukrainian military-industrial sites in overnight strike. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces delivered an overnight strike by precision weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles on Ukrainian military-industrial sites and their power facilities in the past 24 hours in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said today in a broader statement. READ MORE . . .

.

For today, links to four reports: from the Associated Press, National Public Radio, and the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on its initials below. (MEDIA 7-23-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  WEST BANK, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for today, so far, are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up.)

–    –   –

Major media say Gaza staff face starvation as U.S. envoy prepares to host ceasefire talks. From AP. Four leading news organizations said today their journalists in Gaza are facing the threat of starvation as the Israel-Hamas wargrinds on, while top U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff was to meet with key negotiators from . . . READ MORE   Click HERE for report from the Cradle.

–    –   –

FROM JULY 22  A look at President Trump’s lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch. Reported by David Folkenflik and Steve Inskeep | NPR  In a clash of conservative titans, President Trump sued Rupert Murdoch after the Wall Street Journal published a story about a bawdy birthday card Trump made for the late Jeffrey Epstein. Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

FROM JULY 22  NPR news chief announces she’s leaving days after Congress kills federal funding. Reported by David Folkenflik | NPR  NPR’s editor-in-chief and acting chief content officer, Edith Chapin, told colleagues Tuesday morning that she has decided to step down. Click HERE to listen and read.

.

For now, links to eight reports: from Agence France-Presse, Middle East Eye, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Reuters, Middle East Monitor, and the Cradle, and to photos from AP; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA 7-22-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  IRAN, UKRAINE and MEDIA entries for today, so far, are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

–    –   –

Israel denies causing ‘famine’ In Gaza, blames Hamas. From AFP. The Israeli government today said it was not responsible for a chronic shortage of food in Gaza, instead accused Palestinian militants Hamas of deliberately creating a crisis. READ MORE . . .

–    –   –

Israel claims over 100 aid groups lying about starvation of their staff in Gaza. From Middle East Eye. Israel has responded to a statement signed by over 100 aid organisations earlier on Wednesday by describing reports of the mass starvation of NGO staff in Gaza as “the propaganda of Hamas.” READ MORE . . .

–    –   –

Top adviser to Netanyahu will meet U.S. envoy as Gaza hunger deepens and deaths increase. From AP.  Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 21 people late Tuesday and early today, health officials said, as hunger worsened among Palestinians struggling to live under the weight of the 21-month war. READ MORE . . .

–    –   –

Gaza has been at risk of famine for months, experts say. Here’s why they haven’t declared one, by Jamey Keaten and Sam Mednick | AP  Famine occurs when these conditions are met. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for 17 related photos from AP.

–    –   –

AFP news agency says its journalists in Gaza are at risk of starving to death. Reported by Sacha Pfeiffer | NPR  AFP’s global news director Phil Chetwynd says the French news service’s journalists in Gaza are at risk of starving to death. The agency is struggling to get those journalists out of Gaza. Click HERE to listen and, later, read, and HERE for July 22 report from Reuters.

–    –   –

UNRWA chief: UN staff facing growing restrictions in Gaza. From Middle East Monitor. The Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, said on Tuesday that humanitarian workers are facing increasing restrictions when reporting atrocities in the Gaza Strip. READ MORE . . .

–    –   –

FROM JULY 22  U.S. withdraws from UNESCO over ‘anti-Israel bias.’ From the Cradle. Washington announced on Tuesday it will withdraw the United States from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, citing its inclusion of Palestine as a member state. READ MORE . . .

–    –   –

TO BE CONTINUED

First, a link to a report from the Cradle; others  are accessible by clicking on its name below. (IRAN 7-17-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA, UKRAINE and MEDIA entries for today, so far, are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

Iranian navy forces U.S. destroyer to retreat from Sea of Oman: report. From the Cradle. The Iranian naval forces intercepted a U.S. destroyer attempting to approach waters under Tehran’s control in the Sea of Oman, forcing it to turn away, Iranian state television reported today. READ MORE . . . 

–    –   –

MAY BE CONTINUED

For now, links to eight reports: from Tass, the Associated Press, Reuters, Kyiv Post, and the Kyiv Independent; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE 7-22-25 is HERE, or scroll down, GAZA, IRAN and MEDIA entries for today, so far, are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

–    –   –

Memorandums, exchanges to be central in tonight’s Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul — source. From Tass. MOSCOW — Draft memorandums and potential exchanges will top the agenda at tonight’s Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul, according to a source. READ MORE . . .

–    –   –

Ukraine to insist on complete ceasefire during talks in Istanbul — Zelensky. From Tass. MOSCOW — The Ukrainian delegation at the negotiations with Russia tonight in Istanbul — the third round of direct Russian-Ukrainian talks — will insist on an immediate cessation of hostilities, Vladimir Zelensky wrote on his Telegram channel. READ MORE . . .

–    –   –

Zelenskyy faces backlash as Ukrainians protest new anti-corruption law, by Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — Activists today called for more protests of a new law that they say weakens Ukraine’s anti-corruption watchdogs, following the first major anti-government demonstration in over three years of war. The law also . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for July 22 AP report, and HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE for reports from Reuters, Kyiv Post and two from the Kyiv Independent.

–    –   –

MAY BE CONTINUED

First, a report from National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on its initials below. (MEDIA 7-22-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA , IRAN and UKRAINE entries for today, so far, are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up.) — MCM

–    –   –

AFP news agency says its journalists in Gaza are at risk of starving to death. Reported by Sacha Pfeiffer | NPR  AFP’s global news director Phil Chetwynd says the French news service’s journalists in Gaza are at risk of starving to death. The agency is struggling to get those journalists out of Gaza. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–    –   –

TO BE CONTINUED

NOTE: This date’s entries are fewer and shorter than usual — but not because of a snoozy summer, which this one is anything but. My apologies for visitors who like entries longer and earlier. Scroll further down for links to an assortment of other news and commentary sources. 

For today, links to reports from the Associated Press and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (There is no previous KING entry.  UKRAINE, GAZA and MEDIA and entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

–    –   –

Things to know about the release of federal documents related to MLK’s assassination, by Adrian Sainz | AP  MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Federal records related to the investigation into the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. have been released, following the disclosure in March of tens of thousands of documents about the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy. READ MORE . . .

–    –   –

Trump administration releases files on Martin Luther King Jr. assassination. Reported by Steve Inskeep and Elena Moore | NPR  Two segments: Academic, author, pastor and radio host Michael Eric Dyson is interviewed following the National Archives’ publication of newly digitized documents relating to the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. — as part of a directive by President Trump. Click HERE to listen to interview and HERE to read another report.

–   –   –

MORE ANOTHER DAY

NOTE: This date’s entries are fewer and shorter than usual — but not because of a snoozy summer, which this one is anything but. My apologies for visitors who like entries longer and earlier. Scroll further down for links to an assortment of other news and commentary sources. 

For today, links to two reports from the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on its initials below. (UKRAINE 7-21-25 is HERE or scroll down. KING, MEDIA and GAZA entries for this date, so far, are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

NEWER  Zelenskyy renews offer to meet with Putin as officials say Russian attacks kill a child in Ukraine, by Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today renewed his offer to meet with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, but hopes of progress were low as delegations prepared to hold another round of talks. Russian forces, meanwhile . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Swarms of Russian drones attack Ukraine nightly as Moscow puts new emphasis on the deadly weapon. From AP. Russia now often batters Ukraine with more drones in a single night than it did during some entire months in 2024, and analysts say the barrages are likely to escalate. Some experts say . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

TO BE CONTINUED